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I Fueled by the 2018 Olympians, defenseman Madeline Wethington wants to lead the next generation t's hard to overstate just how pow- erful the 2018 Winter Olympics has been for the next genera- tion of hockey players. Madeline Wethington was born in 2000, so she wasn't around for the trailblaz- ers of 1998. But the fact is, the U.S. Women's Olympic Team's performance in PyeongChang will be forever ingrained in her memory. The gold medal game, and the entire year leading up to it, was like watching the levee break, giving way to the surge of girls and women's hockey in America. "This is the game that we're going to remember for the rest of our lives," said Wethington, a senior defenseman at Blake who's heading to the University of Minnesota next fall. "And I know so many little kids that stayed up and watched that game—even though it was a school night— and how inspired they were to not only see the U.S. win it, but the way they wanted it, and the camaraderie that they had, and the work that they did for more equality. "We won't forget it." FAMILY FRIENDLY Jack Brodt, Madeline's grandpa, found- ed the Minnesota Whitecaps in 2004, and currently serves as their co-head coach in the new NWHL era. Her mom, Kerry Brodt Wethington, was the first-ever women's hock- ey coach at St. Cloud State from 1998-2002. Madeline's aunts, Winny Brodt Brown and Chelsey Brodt Rosenthal, were high school state champions at Roseville and NCAA national champions at the University of Minnesota. Her uncle, Vic Brodt, was a cap- tain for St. Cloud State and a longtime girls high school coach at Roseville. But despite the pedigree, Madeline's par- ents take more of a hands-off approach when it comes to hockey. "My mom lets me figure it out and be responsible and make my own deci- sions and learn from my own mistakes," said Madeline, who won a 12U A State Championship with Edina before enrolling at Blake, where she embarked on a stellar high school career. "She'll always ask, 'how do you think you did?' She's not one of those parents that will yell at you after a game if you played poorly." Her dad, Patrick, doesn't have a hockey background, but he's thrilled to be in the thick of it now. Madeline has three younger hockey-playing sisters—Audrey, Jacqueline and Adeline. "He didn't grow up playing hockey, but I think that's why he's so into it now," she said. "So my dad has always been kind of my travel buddy and my support system. He's always there for me. He's the best." ONE DOMINANT D Blake head coach Shawn Reid sees a complete player in Madeline. "Name a skill and she has it," Reid said. "The top players are students of the game and she continually asks questions to learn more. She has great speed and is strong on her skates. Her puck-handling skills allow her to elude players on a rush. She has an incredible shot and great vision. Madeline is the epitome of a well-rounded player. "If we need to score a goal, she is out there. If we need to pre- vent a goal, she is out there. She's an elite player who dominates in all zones." Madeline helped Team USA collect three straight U-18 Women's World Championship gold medals in 2016, 2017 and 2018. "If we need to score a goal, she is out there. If we need to prevent a goal, she is out there. She's an elite player who dominates in all zones." – Blake head coach Shawn Reid b y A A R O N PA I T I C H